Health Benefits of Traveling Abroad

When was the last time you traveled abroad? Traveling for business is one thing, but I’m talking about packing your bags, logging out of your email account and disconnecting from your normal routine for a week or more.

Traveling the world isn’t just fun and exciting; it’s highly beneficial for your physical, mental and emotional health as well.

Check Out These Five Proven Benefits

The average resident of the UK has visited 10 countries, Germans have seen eight, and the French traveled to five nations on average. Given what all the travel and deal sites have to offer today, you can travel abroad without ransacking your piggy bank. Perhaps many Americans don’t grasp the benefits of traveling abroad — and there are many!

1. TRAVEL MAKES YOU HEALTHIER

According to a study traveling actually keeps you healthier. The study found that women who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack than those who only travel every six years or so.

The same is true for men. Men who do not take an annual vacation show a 20 percent higher risk of death and 30 percent greater risk of heart disease.

2. TRAVEL RELIEVES STRESS

Although missing a connecting flight or losing baggage in a foreign airport is sure to boost your anxiety, traveling has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels, and rather dramatically.

3. TRAVEL ENHANCES YOUR CREATIVITY

Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms, “explains Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School who has authored a number of studies that investigate the concrete links between creativity and international travel.

The key, critical process is multicultural engagement, immersion and adaptation, he continues. Someone who lives abroad and doesn’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who travels abroad and really engages in the local environment.

4. TRAVEL BOOSTS HAPPINESS AND SATISFACTION

Most people tend to be happier when they’re traveling and don’t have to worry about work, of course. However, one of the more interesting take away from a Cornell University study is that people also experience a direct increase in happiness from just planning a trip.

Three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood.

The study found that the anticipation of taking a vacation is far greater than the anticipation of acquiring a physical possession. Thus, the benefits of traveling abroad begin well before the trip does.

5. TRAVEL LOWERS THE RISK OF DEPRESSION

While people tend to avoid the subject in our society, depression is unfortunately a major problem. Millions of British struggle with depression on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon for doctors to overprescribe medication for depression.

Luckily, healthier alternatives are available for escaping the hopelessness of a depressed state. According to research, travel may be one of them.

WHERE WILL YOUR TRAVELS TAKE YOU THIS YEAR?

If you’re new to international travel and want to get your feet wet, there’s probably no better destination than London.

But where will you go? Thousands of places across the world are worth visiting. Here are a few that should be on your radar:

London, England

London is a must-visit city. If you’re new to international travel and want to get your feet wet, there’s probably no better destination. Not only is there a lot, but it’s cheap and easy to get to from most major countries. There’s also no language barrier, which is a bonus for people who get nervous about that.

Cape Town, South Africa

The beauty of Cape Town is astonishing. Not only is the landscape unique, but there’s wildlife galore, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhino).There’s much to see; whether you prefer a fast pace or slow and easy, there’s an itinerary for you.

Lucerne, Switzerland

If you’ve never been to Switzerland, Lucerne is a fantastic first city to experience. Conveniently near to the Zurich airport, the town is compact, yet lively. Not only are there lots of attractions, but you can enjoy an array of hiking trails just outside of town.

Auckland, New Zealand

Whether you want to kayak to a volcano, abseil down a waterfall, swim with sharks, or tackle challenging trails on a mountain bike, Auckland has everything could ask for. Oh, and it’s also a city that teems with good food and entertainment.

For many, the notion of international travel isn’t as mysterious and thrilling as it used to be. In a world accessible via YouTube, Google Earth, and virtual reality, many think they’ve already seen all the world has to offer, when they’ve really only stared at a screen a few inches in front of their face.

If you want to enjoy the scientifically proven health benefits of travel abroad, you should start planning a trip. Whether you go to London, Cape Town, Lucerne, Auckland, Pakistan, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Italy, or somewhere entirely different, boarding a plane and flying to a foreign destination where you’re equal parts excited and intimidated is great for your growth and development.

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